Sram Force vs. Red
 

I am trying to decide between purchasing a Force or Red group. Aside from weight and zero loss on the RD, what are the differences between the groups? Specifically, is there a discernable difference in shift quality?

I got a chance to ride an old generation Force group and was a bit disappointed in how the front derailleur preformed. Is this a place where Red offers better performance?

To be honest, I like the graphics on the Force group better – but I will opt for Red is the shifting is better (I don’t really care about saving a few grams, it’s all light).

TIA

I'm getting Red but I think the main difference is weight and bling. Here's some good reviews.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...=&QUERY_BRAND=

http://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?la...xid=81&cid=107

http://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?la...xid=81&cid=125

I have Red & Force on different bikes. The throw to downshift on the RD is a little deeper. Other than that they feel identical. Force even looks a little cooler, imo.

i recommend buying the best components you can afford. you'll never look back and wish you hadn't gotten something as good.

I had 09 Rival for a while and got a good deal on 10 Red recently. Other than the zero loss on the RD I do not feel a difference. The zero loss in the RD makes a difference though. Very quick shifts. FYI, my Red came with Gore shift cables. I am not sure 10 Force comes with Gore Cables.

Doesn't SRAM now have zero loss throughout the entire line?

i thought the new 2010 Force was closely comparable to Red. no? (and a good bit less expensive)

From what I've learned... Red shifters are worth the extra. The red front derailleur is no good because it's not stiff enough... get Force. I think I also heard that Red cranks aren't as stiff. Red rear derailleur is similar to Force except for a little weight savings and ceramic pulleys (I heard they save one watt). As for brakes, I think the only real advantage is weight. Oh and the Red cassette is really nice too. It's light and durable.

According to magazines:

SRAM Red GXP: 1953g
SRAM Force 2010 GXP: 2097g
SRAM Force 2010 BB30: 1951g

You can get a brand new Force group on ebay for $950 while Red at least will run $1500. Red BB30 isn't out yet so I am guessing it will shave off the same weight as the BB30 option does on the new Force.

Here's a very recent review.

http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/20...-reviewed.html

I have 2009 Force mechs, shifters, crank, 2010 Force brakes and Ultegra 6700 chain and rear cassette. My only complaint is the front shifting which is a little stiff with a bit too long of a throw. I think this is partly due to the angle my shifting cable comes into the mech at though.

I just rode a Madone with 2010 Force to compare. ($4500 and only Force hah). The front shifting was a little better but not really as much as I hoped for. Never tried Red personally. That's my 2c.

If you like Force get the Red Shifters and Rival or Force everything else you will save some money at the same time and get Zero loss as well.

I heard this as well. Can anyone confirm/disconfirm?

Rival and Force have Zero Loss on the left shifter (front)
Red has Zero Loss on both shifters (front and rear).

I checked their website and this is what they list as having zero loss. Even the new Apex group has zero loss.

http://www.sram.com/technology/189/t...m-road/src/cat

Although there might be different kinds of zero loss so don't know.

Ahh ok thanks for clarifying. So if you wanted zero loss on front and rear without spending too much on an entire red group could you do red shifters and everything else rival or force?

get the Force and use the extra money saved on a good wheelset or great case of beer.

Yep. If you care about zero loss, you just need the shifters. You could go Red shifters, and Rival RD if you wanted.

I have 2009 and 2010 Force, I like the 2010 force slightly better only because the front has trim. I have red cranks simply because the chainrings are stiffer and I like the look better. The Red cranks I got with the 2009 force group, purchased for an insanely low price from a friend who hated SRAM after a few months of use. So when I ordered my Madone, which I paid way less then $4500, I got 2010 force and swapped the crankset.

I really like SRAM, get what you can afford, is it "worth" the extra $$, only you can decide.

2010 Red: 1928g

Looking this up reminded me that Red has ceramic bearings which accounts for a lot of the price difference.

I have ridden both and decided my next bike will have Sram force. It is just too hard to beat for the money.

They all have trim. But starting with Red (and 2009 Rival, and I thought 2009 Force, but maybe 2010?) the trim is in the big chainring instead of the small. It's a moot point for me since, I seem to not need the trim anyway,

What about performance longevity of the shifters similar to Campy, where bearings instead of bushings in Chorus on up maintains smoothness with age? Not an issue with SRAM?

I've not heard any reports of lots of failures or anything, but the first model year was 2008, so it'll be hard to build up a real history for a while.

I have 2009 Red and 2010 Force. Big chainring to little, or vice versa my Force shifts better. Other than that they are identical, except the force graphics go better with different color bikes. If you can tell a weight difference let me know!!

If 2009 force has trim, mine is not working correctly. I like the trim in the big chainring.

Like Cateye said, you can't beat Force for the $